Improvement in trusses



G. FRANCE. Truss.

No. 208,805. Patented Oct. 8,1878.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE FRANCE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN TRUSSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 208,805, dated October8, 1878; application filed August 26, 18797 To all whom it-may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE FRANCE, of Boston, in the county of Suffolkand State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Trusses, of which the following is a specification:

The nature of this invention consists in a hollow pad made with a flangeand three attaching but-tons or studs for the holding-straps, ashereinafter more fully described and set forth.

Figure l is a perspective of my invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevationof the pad. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of Fig. 2 at the pointindicated by dotted lines. Fig. 4 is a vertical section of Fig. 2 at thepoint indicated by dotted lines.

A represents a hollow spoon, bowl, or egg shaped shell or pad, of thepeculiar form shown in the several views, and having secured to itsedge, by soldering or otherwise, an inwardly-projecting flange, B, towhich is secured at the outer narrowest end, 0, of the pad a stud, D,and at the broad or opposite end, E, two studs, H and K. The top oruppermost one, K, is located a short distance nearer the stud D than thedistance between studs D and H, so as to cause the pad or shell A topress or fit into the cavity formed by the junction of the thigh withthe lower portion of the abdomen or groin, so called, when thehorizontal loin-strap G is secured by a button-hole, or otherwise, atone end, P, to the stud D, as shown in Fig. 1, the other end of thisstrap G being formed with two ends, R S, which have several holes, T, ineach, so as to permit of the adjustment of the said strap G to the sizeof the body of the wearer by passing the suitable holes T T over theheads of the studs H K, the loose or free ends R S of the strap G beingfolded into the hollow or cavity J of the shell-pad A, so as not to showthrough the pants or garment of the wearer by bunching the sameoutwardly.

To the rear portion of the strap G, where it passes above the hip, issecured a short strap,

N, its opposite end being provided with holes V, so as to allow it topass beneath the hip, and up around the lower and inward portion of thethigh in front to the stud H, where it is secured by the holes V, asdesired.

By means of the peculiar formation of the pad A and the transversalposition of the fastening-points H and K, the pad or cushion is held inthe exact position to permit the convex point, end, or surface F of thepad or cushion to fit the hernia perfectly at all times. No matter whatposition the body or limbs may assume, it rests securely in place withthe least possible pressure. The straps being non-elastic and attachedto the outer edge or perimeter of the pad or cushion causes it to buryitself or sink into the fleshy part of the bowels at the slightestexertion tending to increase the diameter of the body at that portion ofthe abdomen sinroundcd by the strap G, thus preventing the slightestescape of the intestines from the hernia; and when the body is in anatural or usual position, the straps are allowed to remaincomparatively loose and easy, so as not to compress the body of thewearer at the point of usual contact, thus avoiding the great objectionsand annoyance as heretofore experienced by wearing trusses.

I am aware that hollow pads have been heretofore employed, and thatthree points of attachment have been used; therefore I disclaim suchinventions, and limit my invention to the precise construction shown anddescribed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- The improvedtruss-pad as constructed with an open back, and provided with threestuds, D, H, and K, arranged upon its flanged perimeter, as described,to connect with the belt G and strap N, substantially as shown, as andfor the purposes set forth.

GEORGE FRANCE.

\Yitnesses:

SYLVENUs WALKER, W. R. MARBLE.

